Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has dismissed a viral social media post claiming she criticised President Bola Tinubu over insecurity in the country.
“TRUMP DIDN’T ‘HIT’ US — OUR LEADERS DID,” the post’s title reads.
It was circulated on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, and had different variations with a similar message.
“This is not about an insult from abroad; it’s about a collapse within. When those in power spend more time negotiating with killers than protecting citizens, when terrorists become TV guests instead of prison inmates — the real problem isn’t foreign criticism, it’s local failure,” a Facebook version reads.
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“President Tinubu, Nigerians don’t need outrage over Trump’s words; they need safety in their homes. Enough of the press statements and blame games — secure the nation. Disarm the militias. Prosecute the killers. And if your current forces can’t deliver, bring in experts under full accountability. But act.”
Although the specific remarks by the US president were not cited, the statement comes after he threatened military action in Nigeria if the government “failed to protect Christians”.
Reacting on Saturday, Okonjo-Iweala clarified that the message did not come from her.
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“Beware this story going around on WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook is false! We are taking action! The person who did this could not even spell my name,” she said.
The WTO DG described the perpetrator(s) as cowardly, asking them to write in their own name(s) rather than hiding behind hers.
